Greens are Good, But Black is Better

Green leafies get all the love, but when it comes to fighting cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, dark purple and black foods may be the real stars. They contain powerful disease-fighting anthocyanins — the darker the food, the more good stuff it's got, says Long Island registered dietitian Karen Ansel. Along with plums, blueberries, and blackberries, look for black quinoa, black chickpeas, black rice, or purple potatoes and sub them in for white or brown versions in soups, mashes, and stir-fries. If you're feeling really adventurous, try black pasta—it's colored with squid ink, which may help fend off certain cancers.